Portable dock



Oct. 10, 1967 F. PARKER I 3,345;825

PORTABLE DOCK Filed Jan. 18, 1965 1 00/; E PARKER /dZW $475M United States Patent 3,345,825 PORTABLE DOCK Louis F. Parker, 3844 Xerxes Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55410 Filed Jan. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 426,255 4 Claims. (Cl. 61-48) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable dock having lightweight deck sections supported on wood stringers substantially longer than the deck sections and carried by post-supported brackets which are clamped at two locations to each stringer; longitudinal frame elements of the deck sections lying flush against the stringers; and cross-bracing and base plates on the posts. 7

This invention relates to portable docks of the type used in lakes, rivers, and streams during the summer season for swimming, entering and leaving small boats and the like and of the type which must be removed during the winter season.

In docks of this nature which are put in and taken out each-season, the characteristics which have not been well provided for in the past are the rigidity of the dock when installed, the durability of the dock so as to be well adapted to be taken out and put in again many times and so as to withstand the action of wind and waves, and the actual portability of the dock so as to permit the dock to be put in the water and taken out with a minimum of effort and time.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved portable dock of simple and inexpensive construction and operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel portable dock which is well adapted to be put into the water and/or removed by one person and which minimizes the possibility of damaging any part of the dock structure during handling or use thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide an irriproved and novel portable dock which has a substantial rigidity while minimizing the likelihood of being damaged durin normal usage or during stormy conditions.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a dock embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one' of the supporting standards in assembled condition and prepared for installation.

FIG. 3 is a detail section view of a portion of the standard viewed substantially at 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 44 in FIG. 3 and showing the portion of the apparatus assembled with the stringer and deck assembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the process by which the dock may be readily and easily installed or removed; the dock and bottom being shown, but the water not being shown, for sake of clarity.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the corner bracket.

One form of the present invention is shown in the drawings and is described herein.

The dock is indicated in general by numeral 10 and includes a plurality of deck sections 11 arranged in endt-o-end relation with each other and supported on elongate ice stringer-s 12, the ends of which are supported by the standards 13. It will be noted that the stringers 12 are constructed of wood and are preferably of some high strength wood such as fir or southern yellow pine. The stringers 12 are not mutilated or cut or drilled in any way which would tend to weaken the stringers and it is to be particularly noted that the end-s of the stringers 12 are imperforate. Depending on the exact type of Wood employed and depending on the length of span, the stringers will generally be 2 x 6 s or 2 x 8s. In any event it will be recognized that the stringers 12 are readily transportable by a single person.

It Will further be seen that the deck sections 11 may be and are preferably considerably shorter than the stringer-s 12 and in the form illustrated, the deck sections 11 are approximately one-half the length of the stringers 12 so that a pair of end-to-end deck sections 11 are disposed between next adjacent supporting standards 13 and are supported by a single pair of stringers 12. The deck sections 11 are separable from the stringers 12 and may be merely lifted off as illustrated in the dotted line position A, seen in FIG. 4. The deck sections each have deck panels 15 which may be of sheet material or may be fabricated from a multiplicity of boards, and each of the deck sections also has a pair of elongate frame elements 16 which are preferably constructed of wood 2 x 4s securely fastened as by nails 17 to the deck panels 15. It will be noted that the elongate frame members 16, at opposite sides of each of the deck sections, lie flush against the corresponding stringers 12 and thereby produces a rigidifying function and prevents bowing of the stringers 12. Each of the supporting standards 13 includes a number of components and as seen in FIG. 2, includes a pair of upright posts 18 which are preferably constructed of rigid tubular material such as galvanized steel pipe. The bottom ends of the posts 18 are supported from the bottom of the natural body of water W by bases 19 which comprise rigid panels 20 of rigid sheet material such as sheet steel, which have flat central portions 20a and obliquely downwardly turned corner portions 20b which tend to dig into the mud or bottom of the water body W so as to minimize movement of the standards 13 after installation. Each of the bases 19 also include a mounting sleeve 21 receiving the lower ends of the posts 18 therein. The sleeves 21 have set screws 22 bearing inwardly against the posts 18 for affixing the bases 19 to the post.

Each of the standards 13 also includes a pair of stringersupporting brackets, which are indicated in general by numeral 23 and which are identical to each other. Each of the brackets 23 includes an upright rigid post receiving sleeve 23a having a set screws 23b therethrough and bearing inwardly against the post 18 for retaining the sleeve 23a in a predetermined fixed position on the post, but permitting adjustment of the sleeve 23a along the post 18 to new and desired positions.

Each of the brackets 23 also includes an elongate and substantially horizontally oriented stringer-supporting shelf 26 which is affixed as by welding to the sleeve 23a. The opposite end portions 26a of the shelf support the end-to-end stringers, which are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3, such that the stringers substantially abut against each other opposite the post 18.

Means are provided for clamping the imperfor-ate ends of the stringers 12 to the support brackets 23 and in the form shown, each of the brackets is provided with an elon-.

gate upright rigid flange 27 which is rigidly affixed to, and in the form shown, formed integrally of the shelf 26. The flange 27 extends the entire length of the shelf 26 and provides a rigid guide and a stationary clamping jaw engageable with the upright side surface of the stringers 12. The

opposite ends of the flange 27 effectively act as stationary clamping jaws cooperating with the movable clamping jaws or screws 28 respectively disposed adjacent opposite ends 26a of the shelf 26 for effectively clamping the imperforate ends of the stringers 12 to the bracket 23. It will be noted that, excepting for the stringer 12, there is only an open and unobstructed space between the flange 27 and the movable jaws 28 so that the stringer 12 may be readily and easily inserted and removed from this unobstructed space. The threaded jaws 28 are threadably mounted in tapped apertures 29a in rigid upstanding ears or guidebars 29 which are aflixed to the shelf 26 as by welding. At each end portion 26a of the shelf, a pair of jaws 28 are disposed in spaced relation with each other for rigidly clamping the stringers to the shelf 26 and flange 27.

Each of the brackets 23 also has an upstanding rigid ear 33 aifixed to the inner edge of the stringer supporting shelf 26 and having a slot aperture 34 therein receiving a spacer rod 35 therethrough. The spacer rod 35 rigidly ties the opposite brackets 23 together and prefixes the spacing between the opposite stringers 12 so that the longitudinal frame members 16 of the deck sections 11 fit tightly and flush against the sides of the stringers 12, thereby preventing wobbling and individual movement of the several posts and standards. The rods 35 are of rigid steel and are aflixed to the ears 33 as by nuts 36.

Each of the standards 13 is also provided with diagonal braces 37 which have hook shaped ends 38 projecting through and connected with the apertured ears 39 which are rigidly aflixed to the sleeves 24 having set screws 25 retaining the sleeves in predetermined position on the posts 18. Similar apertured ears 40 are afiixed as by welding to the base sleeves 21 and retain the lower hook shaped ends 38 of the braces. The diagonal braces 37 across each other approximately midway between the posts 18 and prevent side sway of the standards 13 when assembled with the stringers and deck sections.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a corner bracket 23 which is substantially identical to the bracket 23, but is adapted to be used in a corner situation in dock construction as where the transversely oriented portions of an L-shaped dock join each other. The bracket 23' has a stringer supporting shelf 26', the opposite end portions 26a of which extend in directions normal to each other. The bracket 23' has movable jaws 28' which are substantially identical in construction and mounting and operation to the jaws 28 of the brackets 23. The corner bracket 23 also has the guide bars 32 which project upwardly at the opposite ends and opposite the flange 27'.

The bracket 23 also has a post receiving sleeve 23a. The only distinction between the bracket 23 is the angular shape of it, and in addition, the bracket 23 is provided with a pair of upstanding apertured ears 33 instead of only one apertured ear. It will be noted that the apertured ears 33 are oriented to cooperate with spacer rods 35 which extend in directions normal to each other.

The installation procedure and the characteristics of this portable dock when installed are of particular importance. It will be seen in FIG. that certain of the deck sections 11, have already been installed, and one of the deck sections denoted 11a, has not been installed but is Waiting installation and is being temporarily stored on the partially completed dock. The standards 13 have already been installed, and the standard denoted 13', although complete and identical to the other standards in all respects, is in an intermediate stage of assembly with the remainder of the dock. It Will be noted that the stringers denoted 12' are being installed with the standard 13 and are not as yet attached to the remainder of the dock. It is assumed in FIG. 5 that a portion of the dock has already been installed and an additional length of the dock is being presently installed. The stringers 12' are clamped to the bracket of standard 13'. It will be understood that this clamping can be effected on shore, or can be effected after the standard 13 is assembled and partially immersed in the water. After the stringers 12 have been assembled with the standard 13', as illustrated, the standard 13' may be carried, by a man walking in the water, or may be supported from a boat, and moved outwardly so that the ends of the stringers 12 will move along the deck section already installed and will eventually drop downwardly onto the exposed end of the bracket 23. As the ends of stringers 12' drop onto the bracket 23, the guide cars 29 and upright flanges 27 cooperate to retain the stringers on the brackets. When the stringers have dropped into place, the standard 13' is lowered into engagement with the bottom of the lake or river in such a position that the stringers 12 will be aligned with the stringers that have already been installed.

The opposite ends of each of the stringers 12 are then clamped by the clamping jaws so that the stringers lie flush along the shelves 26 of the brackets and against the upright flanges 27. As a result of this clamping, the strength of the material in the stringers is efliciently utilized, and the amount of downward deflection midway of the span is minimized. It will be noted that the elongate nature of the shelves 26 and flanges 27 minimizes the clear span of the stringers.

Of particular importance is the fact that the stringers 12 remain in imperforate and unmutilated condition because of the lack of any drilling, cutting or other deformation. The clamps provided by the brackets have open and unobstructed spaces between the stationary and movable jaws so that the stringers may merely slip into these spaces and be securely clamped against the supporting shelves.

The dock is completed by merely laying the next deck sections onto the stringers 12' which have now been completely installed. The deck sections illustrated are approximately one-half the length of the stringers and these deck sections will therefore be light enough so that they may be conveniently handled by one man standing or working on the portion of the dock which is already installed. Of course the deck sections may be somewhat longer than those illustrated and the deck sections may actually extend beyond the ends of one pair of stringers and onto the next adjacent stringers of the dock. When the elongate frame members 16 of the deck sections have been laid flush against the sides of the stringers 12, the clock will be extremely rigid against actions of walking on the dock and of wind and waves acting on the clock. The dock will resist swaying and tilting and will present a strong and rigid structure on which persons may feel they can comfortably walk with considerable safety.

It will be understood that the dock may be readily and easily removed by merely reversing the procedure herein described. When the stringers 12 have been separated from the standards 13, they may be conveniently stored by merely laying them flat. There is no tendency for spreading or otherwise mutilating the stringers because there are no apertures or other weakened portions. The stringers and deck sections may be used year after year with a minimum likelihood of any damage.

It Wiil, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A portable dock-type structure which may be supported as from the bottom of a natural body of water,

comprising a plurality of elongate, wooden stringers having opposite imperforate end portions, said stringers being arranged in pairs, the stringers in each of said pairs being disposed opposite each other and in parallel and spaced relation, each of said stringers being disposed in endwise adjoining relation with another of said stringers,

a plurality of end-to-end deck sections removably supported on said stringers and having longitudinally extending frame elements depending therefrom and lying flush against the sides of said stringers,

plurality of supporting standards each disposed at a respective end of a pair of said stringers and having a pair of upright support posts adjacent opposite stringers, each of said standards also including a pair of rigid stringer-supporting brackets each on a respective post, each of said standards having rigid means maintaining said brackets in predetermined relation with each other, each of said brackets havstringer against endwise tilting when load is applied on the stringer and deck section intermediate adjacent standards.

3. The portable dock-type structure of claim 2, wherein each of said brackets also includes a pair of upright rigid stringer guides afiixed adjacent the opposite terminal ends of said stringer-supporting shelf, and said clamps also including a stationary jaw extending along the shelf to cooperate with the guides in positioning said stringers therebetween.

4. A portable dock-type structure,

comprising a plurality of elongate wooden stringers having opposite imperforate end portions, said ing an elongate rigid stringensupporting shelf ex- 10 stringers being arranged in pairs, the strings in each tending along and carrying adjoining stringers with of said pairs being spaced from each other in conthe terminal ends of the stringers disposed interfronting and parallel relation, each of said stringers mediate the ends of the shelf, each of said brackets being disposed in endwise adjoining relation with anhaving releasable clamping means gripping the imperother of said stringers, forate end portion of each stringer at two locations a plurality of elongate deck sections removably mounted spaced from each other longitudinally along the shelf on said stringers, and thereby fix the end portions of the stringers a plurality of supporting standards each disposed at against endwise tilting relative to the brackets and a respective end of a pair of stringers and having a thereby minimize downward deflection of the stringers pair of upright posts adjacent opposite stringers, each intermediate the ends thereof. of said standards also having a pair of rigid stringer- 2. A portable dock-type structure which may be sup supporting brackets each on a respective post, each ported as from the bottom of a natural body of water, of said standards having rigid means maintaining said comprising a plurality of elongate, wooden stringers brackets in predetermined relation with each other, having opposite imperforate ends, said stringers besaid rigid means including an elongate rigid spacer ing arranged in pairs, the stringers in each of said member extending between and afiixed to the corpairs being spaced from each other in parallel and responding pair of brackets to retain the brackets at confronting relation, each of said stringers being a predetermined distance from each other, each of disposed in substantially en-d-to-end relation with ansaid brackets having an elongate rigid stringer-supother of said stringers, porting shelf extending along and carrying adjoina plurality of end-to-end deck sections removably suping stringers with the terminal ends of the stringers ported on said stringers and having longitudinally disposed intermediate the ends of the shelf, each of extending frame elements depending therefrom and said brackets having releasable clamping means griplying flush against the sides of said stringers, ping the imperforate end portion of each stringer plurality of support standards each disposed at a reat two locations spaced from each other longitudinalspective end of a pair of said stringers and having a ly along the shelf and thereby fix the end portions pair of upright posts adjacent opposite stringers, each of the stringers against endwise tilting relative to the of said standards also including a pair of rigid brackets and thereby minimize downward deflection stringer-supporting brackets each on arespective post, of the stringers intermediate the ends thereof. each of said standards having rigid means maintaining said brackets in predetermined relation with each References Cited other, each of said brackets having a rigid stringer- UNITED STATES PATENTS upp g shelf extendlng 10ng1tud1nal1y f sand 1,060,914 5/1913 Liuow 182 179 X stringers and having opposite end portions upon 1 961 967 6/1934 G 182 179 X which end-to-end stringers are respectively supported, 5 3074239 1/1963 i g said bracket shelves also having inner and outer sides, 3245495 4/1966 ar 179 each of said brackets having a pair of clamps each e s disposed adjacent a respective end portion of said shelf and each of said clamps being spaced longi- FOREIGN PATENTS tudinally along the shelf from the corresponding 50 647,768 1962 Canadaterminal end of the shelf to fix the end portion of the 1,280,262 1961 France- JACOB SHAPIRO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE DOCK-TYPE STRUCTURE WHICH MAY BE BE SUPPORTED AS FORM THE BOTTOM OF A NATURAL BODY OF WATER, COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELOGNATE, WOODEN STRINGERS HAVING OPPOSITE INPERFORATE END PORTIONS, SAID STRINGERS BEING ARRANGED IN PAIRS, THE STRINGERS IN EACH OF SAID PAIRS BEING DISPOSED OPOSITE EACH OTHER AND AND A PARALLEL AND SAPACED RELATION, EACH OF SAID STRINGERS BEING DISPOSED IN ENDWISE ADJOINING RELATION WITH ANOTHER OF SAID STRINGERS, A PLURALITY OF END-TO-END DECK SECTIONS REMOVABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID STRINGERS AND HAVING LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FRAME ELEMENTS DEPENDING THEREFROM AND LYING FLUSH AGAINST THE SIDES OF SAID STRINGERS, A PLURALITY OF SUPPORTING STANDARDS EACH DISPOSED AT A RESPECTIVE END OF A PAIR OF SAID STRINGER AND HAVING A PAIR OF UPRIGHT SUPPORT POSTS ADJACNET OPPOSITE STRINGERS, EACH OF SAID STANDARD ALSO INCLUDING A PAIR OF RIGID STRINGER-SUPPORTING BRACKETS EACH ON A RESPECTIVE POST, EACH OF SAID STANDARDS HAVING RIGID MEANS MAINTAINING SAID BRACKETS IN PREDETERMINED RELATION WITH EACH OTHER, EACH OF SAID BRACKETS HAVING AN ELOGNATED RIGID STRINGER-SUPPORTING SHELF EXTENDING ALONG AND CARRYING ADJOINING STRINGERS WITH THE TERMINAL ENDS OF THE STRINGERS DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF THE SHELF, EACH OF SAID BRACKETS HAVING RELEASABLE CLAMPING MEANS GRIPPING THE IMPERFORATE END PORTION OF EACH STRINGER AT TWO LOCATIONS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE SHELF AND THEREBY FIX THE END PORTIONS OF THE STRINGERS AGAINST ENDWISE TILTING RELATIVE TO THE BRACKETS AND THEREBY MINIMIZE DOWNWARD DEFLECTION OF THE STRAINGERS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF. 